CaspersCruiser
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 11, 2016
- Messages
- 868
- Fluid Motion Model
- R-27 Classic
- Hull Identification Number
- FMLT2709G112
- Vessel Name
- Cookie
- MMSI Number
- 368203460
I recently visited a 2012 R27 like mine owned by a couple about to complete the Great Loop. I mentioned the nice looking screens in their open windows and the owner said he had replaced the screen material.
I asked him how he removed the screens from the surrounding window frames to accomplish the rescreening. He was sitting in the dinette table aft seat and he turned to the window next to the table, lifted up on the screen frame by the sides and then pulled the bottom out of the track and removed the screen from the window frame. The screen frames have metal spring clips riveted on top. He had the screen out in five seconds.
When I got home, I dove into a screen replacement project. The existing screens on my R27 had some small holes and just generally looked dingy. The screens at the helm seat and the port companion seat were easy to remove— I lifted up on the sides and they popped right out of the bottom track.
The windows at the galley and table did not pop out at all. Same for the head. I had to use a narrow rigid putty knife to lever the screen frames out of the bottom track. The window over the cave would not lift out and levering it would not work. I had to leave it as is. It was in good shape anyway, thank goodness.
I took the screens out one at a time for rescreening to make sure I got them back in the windows from which they came. The original screen material was aluminum and held in with a rectangular spline I had never seen before. To rescreen, I used a tight weave fiberglass “bug screen” purchased at Lowe’s and .125” round spline. Hopefully the bug screen will keep out the no-see-ums that seem to inhabit waterways.
If you haven’t replaced boat screens before, it’s the same process used with home window screens. There are lots of YouTube how-to videos for home window screens. As boat projects go, it’s relatively easy. The only special tool required is a “spline tool” that can be purchased at any hardware or big box store.
To reinstall the windows, I used the reverse process from removal, levering back in the screens needing it. If you undertake this project, cross your fingers that your window screens pop out easily.
My boat’s new screens look great.
I asked him how he removed the screens from the surrounding window frames to accomplish the rescreening. He was sitting in the dinette table aft seat and he turned to the window next to the table, lifted up on the screen frame by the sides and then pulled the bottom out of the track and removed the screen from the window frame. The screen frames have metal spring clips riveted on top. He had the screen out in five seconds.
When I got home, I dove into a screen replacement project. The existing screens on my R27 had some small holes and just generally looked dingy. The screens at the helm seat and the port companion seat were easy to remove— I lifted up on the sides and they popped right out of the bottom track.
The windows at the galley and table did not pop out at all. Same for the head. I had to use a narrow rigid putty knife to lever the screen frames out of the bottom track. The window over the cave would not lift out and levering it would not work. I had to leave it as is. It was in good shape anyway, thank goodness.
I took the screens out one at a time for rescreening to make sure I got them back in the windows from which they came. The original screen material was aluminum and held in with a rectangular spline I had never seen before. To rescreen, I used a tight weave fiberglass “bug screen” purchased at Lowe’s and .125” round spline. Hopefully the bug screen will keep out the no-see-ums that seem to inhabit waterways.
If you haven’t replaced boat screens before, it’s the same process used with home window screens. There are lots of YouTube how-to videos for home window screens. As boat projects go, it’s relatively easy. The only special tool required is a “spline tool” that can be purchased at any hardware or big box store.
To reinstall the windows, I used the reverse process from removal, levering back in the screens needing it. If you undertake this project, cross your fingers that your window screens pop out easily.
My boat’s new screens look great.